More than a year after the Obamacare website had announced an online marketplace for business owners, the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is finally open.

According to The Washington Post, HealthCare.gov officially launched its small business-focused section two weeks ago, but traffic has been a bit slow. Despite health plan options being offered through the newly opened SHOP, early reports indicate that businesses haven't exactly surged toward the site.

Why not? And what should your small business know about the Obamacare SHOP?

When your employees want to take a sick day, can you require them to give proof that they were sick?

With mandatory sick laws being passed in various cities and states, business owners have real reason to re-examine their sick day policies. Chief among these considerations is what kind of proof, if any, companies should require of their employees in order to take sick time off.

Let's examine some of the legal principles behind requiring proof for sick days.

A group of aldermen in the Windy City have put forward a plan to raise the city's minimum wage from $8.25 an hour to $15 an hour, reports Reuters. This plan is separate from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's panel which has been tasked with providing recommendations for raising minimum wage.

Minority-owned businesses may be entitled to government benefits and special programs, but not every business will qualify.

And claiming to be a minority-owned business when you're not is a terrible idea, as Moretech American Corporation has learned the hard way. Federal prosecutors allege Moretech passed off a shell company as a minority-owned firm in order to land a government contract; Moretech has agreed to pay $3 million to settle those claims, the New York Daily News reports.

The pot bank bill, HB 1398, approved by Colorado legislators would allow pot businesses to join "cannabis credit co-ops" as a way to handle their money. The Associated Press reports that Gov. John Hickenlooper supports the bill and is expected to sign it.

Congress held a hearing on Bitcoin and small businesses Wednesday. Though no action was taken, the discussion could impact the virtual currency and businesses that currently accept it (or are considering it) for payment.

In case you're still in the dark, Bitcoin is the world's first decentralized, peer-to-peer virtual currency. This means that it's not backed by any banks, credit card companies, or governments, according to The Washington Post.

So before you get on board with Bitcoin, here are three tidbits to ponder from the House Committee on Small Business' Bitcoin hearing: